Mildred E. Lykens

The Tirrell Gang Mildred E. Lykens

The story is a western family saga, based on a true story of the author's paternal grandparents. Documented facts, family verbal history and logical fiction are braided to weave the tale of "The Tirrell Gang". It is a "first in a series" novel of Hasten Homer Tirrell, his wife Mary and her best friend Lillie. Lillie was one source of the verbal history. She told of the days when Hasten led a gang of very young outlaws that consisted of his brothers and two neighboring families. The Tirrell's had been "chased out of three states, finally settling in Texas". There in Texas after each raid she hid the gang at her ranch until the posses gave up and it was safe for the boys to return home. Family circumstances lead to an explosive fight, which divulged deception, betrayal and eventually pitted father against son that led to a confrontation with a shotgun, kidnapping and the gang's final split. Hasten made a hasty decision that fulfilled Lillie's hopes and dreams.